Jalandhar, June 11 :
In a major push to revamp sports infrastructure in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the transformation of Burlton Park into an ultra-modern Sports Hub.
The project will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹78 crore.
Describing it as a historic moment, both leaders emphasized that these new sports facilities will significantly strengthen Jalandhar’s status as the sports capital of India. Under the Smart City Mission, Burlton Park is being developed into a comprehensive Sports Hub featuring a wide range of facilities. As part of the project, a state-of-the-art cricket ground will be constructed alongside various other stadiums and modern sports amenities.
They said that Two multi-purpose stadiums are also being developed—one dedicated to handball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and wrestling; and the other to weightlifting, judo, and kabaddi. Both leaders said that Separate stadiums for football and hockey are also planned, along with a dedicated yoga shed for yoga enthusiasts and a skating rink for young athletes. They said that in addition, cycling and jogging tracks will be constructed, and the existing lawn tennis courts will be modernized.
Both the leaders said that Sports Hub will include seating for 500 spectators indoors and 1,000 outdoors. They said that to enhance public convenience, the facility will also include amenities such as a cafeteria, shopping complex/vending zones, reliable electricity and water supply, and other necessary infrastructure. They further said that to ensure uninterrupted power, the complex will be equipped with transformers and DG sets.
Both the leaders said that park will feature three main entry gates, traffic lights for smooth traffic management, and renovated roads with aesthetic landscaping. They said that Parking facilities will accommodate over 200 four-wheelers and more than 150 two-wheelers. Highlighting Jalandhar’s rich sporting legacy, both leaders remarked that the city is globally renowned thanks to institutions like Burlton Park, Surjit Hockey Stadium, and the Sports College.
They noted that footballs, rugby balls, and other equipment made in Jalandhar are used in prestigious events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. They further added that top cricketers around the world use cricket bats manufactured in Jalandhar, and that Punjab’s sporting tradition began and flourished here. Both the leaders said that Punjab Government, they affirmed, is fully committed to advancing Jalandhar’s prominence in the field of sports adding they concluded by announcing that the project will be completed and dedicated to the public within the next year.
